Cuba and the United States in the Platt Amendment Period: Perception and Intent

The relationship between Cuba and the United States continues to perplex many Americans in the twenty-first century. How can a nation so nearby, that was once so closely tied to the United States, be so antagonistic towards the United States? This study will trace the perceptions, over time, of the United States-Cuba relationship during the early Cuban Republic (1902-1934), a time period in which the United States maintained a controlling relationship defined under the Platt Amendment. In this process, the Cuban perceptions of the relationship will be considered, specifically noting differences of views among different social statuses and perspectives. Then, various viewpoints from the United States will be compared to those of Cubans. Ultimately, a review of these sources will show that many early Americans emphasized the intent of American policy and efforts, while Cubans tended to lose focus on original American intent over time as they grappled with the reality of conditions produced in the Platt Amendment era.